Catherine gently placed an open hand against her husband’s rugged face and slowly brushed across. “This…” She looked around as if she were searching for the right word to utter. She did not want to hurt her king’s feelings. Finally she said, “This stronghold… needs a woman’s touch.”
He kissed her fingers, grabbed her hand, turned it over and said, “Anything you wish, my young fierce eagle…”
They continued to stroll through the castle’s desolate courtyard. Upon entering the main hall, Catherine noticed something even more peculiar. There were no paintings of previous heirs, in fact, no decorations of any kind, but most importantly of all, there was no furniture of any kind. The place was desolate and empty. There was a large fire burning in a pit toward the end of the hall and several mounted torches scattered about the castle, but the entire area was cold. Catherine had not expected this.
She caught a chill as she stood there, looking around her new home. “Count, I am a little hungry, is there even food here?” she asked.
August snickered to himself.
In the past, all his preceding wives provided sustenance for themselves. In fact, he did not even spend much time with them at all. In many ways, these tribute brides were more of a sacrifice delivered by the townsfolk to make them feel comfortable and safe. But Catherine, he could sense already that she was extremely different from the other brides.
She was extremely considerate concerning her new arrangement. A hunter herself, he knew she was fully capable of seeking out her own nourishment, but now that she was betrothed to him, tradition would have it that her husband would provide to all of her necessities. And this fact excited him greatly.
Catherine stepped away from August momentarily, envisioning the castle as she would want it to be. Long burgundy drapes with gold trim garnished the walls, paintings of August and herself could be seen in many places, servants in traditional clothing carrying platters of fruits, sweets and fine wines, knights in shining armor, her mother and sisters – all were there to share in her happiness.
“So, what will you do my handsome husband? What will you do to please me?” Catherine asked.
August picked up a torch and handed it to her. “Wait for me there,” he said, pointing to a room just ahead and to the right.
“But… where are you going?”
“I will return soon.”
“You’re going to leave me… in here… alone, on our wedding night?”
“But what of your biddings, my dear, and your needs that must be fulfilled?”
“I would not be able to spend the night in this immense castle by myself. Can it all wait until the morning?” She asked with a chill running up her spine.
“Was that a jest?” August asked. It was obvious he did not yet know her sense of humor.
“How silly of me,” Catherine laughed. “No, I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I must be the worst bride ever.”
“No my lady, the best,” said August.
Her heart skipped a beat. She could not believe what she had just heard, and her cheeks swelled to a ripening blush. “You’re just saying that.”
“I couldn’t be more serious, my lady,” he said. “If you’re not satisfied with the current upkeep, I will have it changed before daylight.” Then he drew her in close and proceeded toward the stairs.
“Please… tell me you at least have a bed.” she said.
He shook his head in the negative. Not because he didn’t have a bed of sorts for her to rest upon, but because the thoughts of this new start was already proving to be one of the most challenging feats he’d ever had to do in the past few centuries.
Tale of the Century Bride Book Two: Chapter 2
Weeks went by.
During those first few weeks of married life there wasn’t a single thing that Catherine would not receive if she made the effort to ask for it. August’s devotion to her was laser focused and immense. It was his duty to provide for her and he did so with an unusual devotion, one that she would have never expected from the Count. Weeks had passed before she asked for the one thing she had wanted all along, the company of her family.
As usual, Catherine had awoken that next morning with the rising of the sun. Eager for the arrival of her mother, sisters and best friend, Rose, she quickly dressed and headed to the main hall where she was soon met by Alice and Cored as usual. She was looking forward to the arrival of her family and friends, daydreaming of her family, though danger loomed over their visit with the possibility of a severe storm on its way to their village and castle.
Well, the children did not exactly meet her. What they actually did was surprise her. Simultaneously, as she reached the last step, the twins jumped from both sides of the castle walls with a lion’s roar that echoed throughout the open area. It was a roar that turned curious heads to witness the playful event after it had occurred.
The twins hands were out, fingers formed into tiger claws. It actually looked more like they were struck with a bad case of arthritis, or some crippling disease of some sort as they reached for her in mock rage. That was until she broke out in laughter at the sight of them in action.
“And good morning to the both of you, you little lions” Catherine said to the twins as she stepped from off the final step.
“Hah! We scared you, we scared you!” Alice said proudly in her sing song fashion, as her brother skipped about the two of them.
“Countess, I wish you could see the look on your face,” Cored giggled, grinning wildly from ear to ear. It was obvious he was ecstatic about Catherine’s response to the morning greeting from the twins.
The twins were obviously ready for the new day to start. Catherine was a great actress when interacting with these kids and she did have a look of surprise sketched across her face. Her eyes were much larger than normal and her mouth was wide open, playing along with their antics as she’d always done. They were good kids and Catherine truly enjoyed having them around.
Catherine was a bit distracted in her thoughts of the new arrivals soon to come, but she still took the time to place her hands upon her hips and tilt her head back with laughter, sharing a fun moment with the smallest members of her castle clan. Catherine admitted to the youngsters that she had a good scare and then she hugged them both before making her way on out to the courtyard. As she walked on, the twins joined her, one on each side.
“What will we be doing today, Lady Catherine?” Alice questioned as the threesome walked along, hand in hand.
“Well, soon my mother should be on her way to the castle to join us all. And I know she would love to meet up with you two.” Catherine said. Then she looked up to the dark clouds off in the southern air. They were still growing near, but it seemed they had shifted in speed, now moving slower than before. They were now about 220 kilometers away from Castle Dalmar.
“Lady Catherine, do you have any brothers and sisters closer to our age?” Cored asked Catherine.
Catherine laughed at the question. It wasn’t a hearty laugh. More like a pleasurable, under the breath snicker that she did, knowing that the twins really wanted more playmates their own age, than to just know plain information or to just be making conversation. “Oh, and what kind of question is that? Are you two not fond of my company? Well, I’m simply appalled,” she said to the twins with false shock, rolling her eyes as she spoke.
“No, Lady Catherine… we love playing with you. You’re always in a good mood and have time to play with us us. But we don’t have anyone else our age to play with. We were just wondering….” Cored said to her, swinging her hands in his, as they all walked along to the center of the castle.
“Yes, everyone here so old. And they are all too serious… and no one hardly ever smiles. Why are they all like that Lady Catherine?” Alice asked, point blank.
“Well, this is a working castle you know. The majority of the people here are hard at work and simply do not have the time to entertain you. They are always busy doing important things like sword fighti
ng, welding, cooking and cleaning, weaving cloth for our clothes, training, studying and worshiping… and things of that sort. I know that may be hard for you to understand now… but one day you will. A castle really just isn’t the best place for children to run around and play. You could get hurt here very easily, so please be careful for me.” Catherine answered.
“But we play every day, here, with you.” Cored admitted with an incriminating point of the finger to Catherine.
“Yes, that is very true indeed. But what if there was a village of children here, running around causing mischief?”
“Oh, we don’t cause any trouble.” Alice griped.
“I know, I know. But imagine… the more children there are, the more likely it is to happen.” She patted Alice on the top of her head. “Hey, I have one sister about two years older than you. I suspect she will be delighted to play with you both. You two really might be the ones keeping her happy and satisfied once she arrives.”
“We will, we don’t want to cause any trouble,” Alice piped up. Cored nodded his head in agreement.
“I know that you just want to play.” She patted the twins on the top of their heads.
Alice started clapping, happy in her new moment of discovery. Another little girl in the castle to play with; what excitement that would be.
Cored, on the other hand, was not quite as happy as his sister with this new information. His neck straightened and his chin lifted. He looked to his sister and then to Catherine. His eyes grew for a moment before shrinking to a decimal. He looked to his sister and then to Catherine again – it was obvious he was trying to come up with a question before he asked it out loud. Finally he asked, “Don’t you have any brothers?” he grumbled.
Catherine shook her head no in response to his question.
He was upset at her response, realizing that he would not have anyone to play with but more girls. “That’s not fair. I thought you were the fair lady!”
Both girls cackled to his notion of what a fair lady meant. His outburst was more comical though, even though it was meant to be taken seriously.
Catherine looked over toward the well, where she’d caught sight of the new man, Deleon, filling a bucket of water. Her smile dissipated and the twins spun their sights in the direction she stared.
“He’s taking it into the kitchen with papa.” Alice mentioned.
“By the way, what has your father assembled for this morning’s feast?” Catherine asked. She waved a pointy finger side to side. “No games,” she said.
“Girl soup and hen eggs,” Cored grumpily said.
He was apparently still upset that he would not have anyone to play with but the girls.
“And who might that girl in the soup happen to be, Cored?” Catherine asked, watched as Deleon lugged the bucket with both hands in their direction. “You know it isn’t nice to say things like that. Witches cook little boys and girls in stew ya know. What if that little boy were you?”
“I don’t want to be in a witches stew Catherine.” Alice said with a saddened face. She appeared to be a tad bit frightened at the thought.
“Witches only take the bad children, Alice.” Catherine quickly responded.
“I was just fooling around.” Cored quickly said, his hands out, palms up in his defense. “There is no girl soup or hen eggs.”
“I know there isn’t.” Catherine admitted. She noticed that Deleon had begun to carry the bucket with one hand for a spell. No one in the castle his average weight and height could accomplish that feat for the twenty paces that he took with it. She took a step in his direction before he’d used two hands to carry the bucket once again.
Catherine, always thinking ahead, wanted to give Cored a job to take his mind off the no boys discovery before he got too upset, and this was one Alice could assist with too. “Hey, I need you two to do an important job for me. And it is very important that you keep it a secret – just between the three of us, all right?”
“Yes, Lady Catherine, what do you want us to do?” Cored asked excitedly before Alice tapped his shoulder reminding him about the secret part of the job and to quiet down.
“We can keep a secret, my lady. I promise… I mean, we promise.” Alice added, speaking quietly.
“Here is what I need you to do…” Catherine said, under her breath, “Keep a watch over our guest over there with a keen eye will you? Do not let him know you are watching… understand? And please tell your father that we need 7 more dishes set for the table for my mother and sisters.”
The twins both looked to the new man in the castle, Deleon.
“Why are we watching him?” Cored asked Catherine.
“I don’t have time to explain it to you both right now. But let me know if he does anything out of the ordinary, all right? And do not let him know you are watching either.” Catherine said.
“All right, my lady.” Alice said.
“Can you find me somebody new to play with?” Cored asked sullenly.
“Yes, I’ll see what I can do for you. Now hurry along you two, I’ll see you both in the dining hall shortly.”
Just then, the sounding of the drawbridge turned her sights to the castles front gate and she walked back in that direction to see what was happening.
Tale of the Century Bride Book Two: Chapter 3
It is a true pleasure to have you all staying with us at castle Dalmar.” Count August addressed Catherine’s family and best friend, Rose. “I trust you are finding your stay here welcomed by the staff?” he asked as he addressed Catherine’s mother directly.
They all sat in the dining room at the colossal table filled with food. Their plates were nearly empty, all but the Count’s, who hadn’t a plate before him. He sat with only a goblet of warm blood – the ladies had empty wine glasses – his arms stretched; his hands flat on the table. He sat at the head of the dining table, while Catherine sat at the other.
“The accommodations are plentiful, thank you sir.” Catherine’s mother said. “We thank you for allowing us to stay here.”
“It was the wishes of my bride. And for her,” He looked to Catherine. “I will do anything in my power to see that she has an exultant life.”
Catherine’s mother blushed. Her sisters looked to her in awe. There could have been no man alive during their time that would dainty her in such a fashion to be of service of all of her wishes, all her desires, and treat her with the count’s great deal of charitable respect and honor.
“I am truly happy here, mother.” Catherine said. “And you are all welcome to stay for as long as you wish.”
“Yes, it is true indeed.” Count August said with a crooked grin. He looked to Catherine’s mother. “As I understand, you are a blacksmith, correct?” he asked her.
“Why yes, I am. The best at that I assure you. As good as any man!” her mother said.
“And so I have heard. I hear that you were trained by your husband, a fine man might I add, to raise such a wonderful, beautiful and skilled daughter as your Catherine here. And her sisters, I presume, as well.”
He smiled and then took a sip of blood from his goblet before he continued. “You have done a marvelous job in taking over his duties, and for that I would implore that you are to continue in you great work here, at Castle Dalmar, as our blacksmith. If you choose to do so, you will be put in charge of teaching my men to become somewhat as magnificent as yourself.”
He gave the statement a moment to sit there in the air, and for her mother to think about whether or not she would be interested in the offer. Then after a brief pause, he went on. “And you will be rewarded for your services with anything that you might wish. If you choose not to take part in this offer, I would certainly understand, and you will still have full access to any part of the castle, free to come and go as you please.”
Catherine’s mother looked to her, and then to her daughters before steering her sights back to the Count, who was drinking from his goblet once again. “This is a lot to think about. I mean, I love m
y work and my children. I have a home outside of here, and friends in the village. What might you be asking in return?”
The girls were all at unease as they sat at the table. This was actually the first time they had spent an evening with… a vampire. Though they did not show it, each of the ladies, from the youngest to eldest, looked to each other one by one as if to speak telepathically. If there were anything to have been said, it would probably be can we trust him?
The Count laughed graciously. “My dear lady… you have already given me more than enough. I would just ask that you look to me as if I were your son.” he said.
His kind words were immediately felt in the hearts of all Catherine’s siblings, and her mother as well. In fact, her mother was so touched by the Count’s endearing words that she dropped her head to hide the fluid building in her eyes. She grabbed at her heart to feel the beat, as if she was deceased and heaven was now her home.
Wiping away at her tears with the handkerchief from under her silverware, she looked to the Count and quietly nodded before agreeing to become the head blacksmith in charge of all others. The other girls still sat quietly during this exchange.
The Count finally smiled, his fangs shining before them all. “Then this calls for a celebration,” he said, raising a hand as he brought his thumb and middle finger together and snapped.
Immediately, from the service entrance, two female servers walked into the dining area with bottles of wine. They filled the ladies glasses. Catherine’s youngest sister, the only one who was not of age, was given cider to drink. Everyone’s glasses were filled, and the Count asked Catherine if she would lead the toast.
Catherine stood from her seat, as she raised her glass. “To a new beginning… for each and every one of us,” she smiled as she spoke.
“To new beginnings!” her family chanted in unison, with raised glasses. They looked to one another in that blissful moment, each one with a smile on their face.
Tale of the Century Bride Complete: Historical Vampire Paranormal Romance Box Set Page 6